need 2 RCA's to amp?

[slmcneely]

Hi, I've got a Kenwood deck (with sub control in it BBE). I've got a 5 channel kenwood amp. I got it installed and they used one set of RCA's. What am I missing? Can one set of RCA's from the deck send all of the correct signals to the amp or is the system crippled without the second set of RCA's? I feel like my door speakers are hitting on the bass notes too (I can feel the door rattle) so I'm not sure if the whole system is distorted because of this setup or what? Can you give me some general information on the difference between using one RCA and using two RCA's between the deck and the amp? Thanks alot. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Lynn

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[missionpilot 10+ year member]

use a y splitter, and turn your hpf on if you have one

 

[slmcneely]

What will I gain if I use a Y splitter? Will it be the same as if I had run the second RCA all the way from the deck? Are the second RCA's on the deck outputting the same signal as the first RCA's? What will the amp do with the second connection of RCA's? What is HPF? What is going wrong with the way it is hooked up right now?

Thanks,

 

[cyberbob25 10+ year member]

HPF= High Pass Filter

Turning this on (if your amp has it) attenuates (mutes) all frequencies below the crossover frequency. This will prevent bass and sub-bass from being played over your speakers.

The Y splitter basically just splits the signal from the one set of RCA's into two more ends. Whoever installed your amp probably already used these to wire up your amp to save from having to run multiple RCA's through your car (either that, or your amp can be configured to automatically pass the signal to all channels, elminating the need for an RCA splitter). So with only 1 set, you are still getting all frequencies, you just don't get the ability to turn off your subwoofer using your h/u.

 

[slmcneely]

Ah, it's starting to come clear now. Yes, there is one set of RCA's and they are not split before the amp. There are 4 little dials on the amp; I'm assuming those are for adjusting the "crossovers" inside the amp to determine which sounds to send to which speakers. So, how it is wired is not a problem as long as I have a smart amp? Cool. So i probably need to look for the HPF and make sure it is set correctly and then adjust everything else. I believe the amp has to be set up right now to send the signal to all channels because I have sound at all speakers, so, if that is the case I wouldn't gain anything by running another set of RCA's or by splitting the RCA's already in there....correct?

Would you do anything differently or is it just down to fine tuning now?

Thanks again, Lynn

 

[forbidden 10+ year member]

How many rca output lines does the cd player have? Did they infact wire all the speakers to the 5 channel amp or just the subs? Something really sounds fishy here.

 

[slmcneely]

The cd player has 2 pair of RCA outputs. They only used one pair. All of the speakers are wired from the amp. I feel like the sound is not as "separated" as it was when I had these same components installed in a different vehicle. I know in the last vehicle there were 2 sets of RCA's. I am really struggling to find out what I am missing by having only the one set of RCA's. I am positive it is a 5 channel amp.

 

[slmcneely]

Oh yeah, one more thing. I can change the balance from left to right, but I cannot change front to back. (I'm not sure if that tells you anything).

 

[forbidden 10+ year member]

If the head unit has front and rear rca outputs, it should have been wired with two rca's. This would give you fader control or in some cases with some rca outputs on certain cd players a front rca + rear or sub rca. If your cd player has this function, it would allow level control on the subs, provided the amp has a sub rca input. Otherwise all you would be missing is front to rear fade, which can be set at the amp by using the gains. I personally would prefer to have it hooked up with the second rca cable.

 

[slmcneely]

So, from a purist's perspective 2 RCA's would be the way to go. From a novice perspective, my highs and mids are getting sent to the right place, my lows to the right place and I just don't have any control from the deck. That's acceptable for now. I just wanted to make sure that only running the one RCA wasn't crippling the whole system. Thank you for your help. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[slmcneely]

Oh whoops, one more thing. Right now I have Polk separates in the front and the stock 1998 Honda 6x9's in the rear. I have a set of Polk 5 1/4's that I could put in the rear if I figure out how to fit/stabilize them in the stock 6x9 hole. Would the Polk's probably sound better than the stock Honda's? I had these Polk's hooked up with the whole system before and they were great. I'm thinking that the weak link here right now is those 6x9's. What do you think? How could I "retrofit" those Polk's in there?

 

[forbidden 10+ year member]

Make yourself a baffle board out of mdf. Take your 6x9 and flip it upside down on a piece of 1/3 or 1/2" mdf and trace it out including the mounting holes. Center the new 5.25" mid and tweeter onto the new baffle board and mark it's mounting diameters. Cut it all out, drill all of the mounting holes, paint it black, good to go.